nebraska!

So we arrived in Nebraska... and there is no snow...it sure is cold though!  We took family pictures on Tuesday and we celebrated Christmas this morning so that we did not have to do it the day before we leave and Reagan's mom get really sad. 
My dad called this morning and said there is snow coming... I love being here and visiting them, but I have never been away from my family on Christmas and I want to be home with them this year too!  So please pray that our flight leaves when it is supposed to on Friday morning so that we can fly home and be with our family on Christmas!
We have had way too many sweet treats while we have been here... so I will definitely be hitting the gym once we get back home; luckily I have not consumed as near as much treats as Reagan has!
We have taken lots of pictures while we have been here, so we will post soon! His sisters are loving having us here and they cannot get enough hugs from us... such cuties!
We will be headed back to Texas to celebrate with my family in 2 days... cross your fingers and say lots of prayers!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas holiday celebrating Jesus and his birth with friends and family!

"Remember Jesus was born, died, and rose again so that we could have LIFE in Him... that is the Real reason we should all cherish Christmas!"

Packing, Packing, Packing

So today has been a day of packing and getting ready for San Antonio and Nebraska.  There is still so much to do, so I cannot wait for Reagan to get home from work so that we can get it all done!
On Friday, Reagan found out that there is going to be a charge for checking our bags... which was going to be quite expensive, so Reagan decided we could make all our stuff fit in a carry on suitcase each.  I am freaking out because I am cold all the time and in Nebraska it is FREEZING!  SO hopefully we are going to be able to make this work because if not I am  going to freeze my butty off!  So tonight we are going to cram those carry on suitcases the best we can and make it work... it should be pretty entertaining!

Today, I went and got a massage at Massage Envy.  It was INCREDIBLE!  I randomly found a gift card in my wallet and thought I had already used it and got the massage... I was wrong!  So I treated myself this afternoon with the massage and all the hard work that I put in this semester at school.  It was the most relaxing massage I have ever had... definitely needed that!

Also, on Friday I went and got my hair done and I am back to my original color... a shade of brown.  Though the lady that does my hair did the color a little richer than my natural.  Everyone has loved it and Reagan really likes it too, so I guess it looks good!  I am still not used to it because I have not had my natural color in FOREVER!  Pictures of the new do to come soon!

Well off to more laundry and packing and a movie!

"Life is such a beautiful treasure!"

christmas break is here!!

So I took my last final for this semester, it feels so good to be done and to have a little break! I am excited to spend time with family and hang with my awesome hubby-- we have not gotten to do that in a while since finals consumed me!

After I got home from my last final today I had planned on going to work out for the third time this week but my body and mind was just too tired.  So Reagan and I will be headed to the gym tomorrow for sure!  Tomorrow he has a day off so I am pretty excited to get to spend time with him and our last Christmas gift for family should arrive tomorrow so we can finish wrapping presents and start packing for Nebraska and San Antonio! Tomorrow, I also have an appointment to get my hair done.  I think I may be going dark... we shall see.  I will post pictures of the final product :)

Saturday I am getting pampered by my hubby... he is so awesome.  He had gotten me a gift card for a one hour massage a while back and I had yet to use it so he told me to make an appointment for Saturday morning, and he told me I could get my nails and toes done too since I worked so hard on finals.  He is so sweet, I love him so so much!

Tonight we are going out and celebrate me finishing finals and our friends birthday! Cannot wait!!

Oh and PS... I cannot believe I only have one Semester of College left... This is REAL LIFE!!!!! :) WOOHOO!

"Giving it your all, always pays off in the end!"

one more left :)

So I have one more final left to take... my brain is getting tired... thank goodness there is only one more!
I started off the morning with a fabulous workout with Julie Riggins, man did we sweat! It felt good to start the morning that way! Reagan and I came home from the gym, had breakfast together and then I showered and got ready for my test and he left for work. I think the nutrition test went well today... all I can say is that I did my best and that is all that counts! After the test, I came home and my hubby brought me Chick-fil-A grilled chicken wrap for lunch.. yum!  Then we went to visit a girl in the hospital from our youth group that had knee surgery... she was still out of it when we went to see her and I felt bad for her because her knee was hurting :(  Then on the way home we stopped for shakes as a treat and I got a small and did not finish it all, so I do not feel like my workout was wasted this morning. :)  I am now studying more for my test that is tomorrow morning before Reagan and I go to dinner with sweet friends for sushi!!!!

Once tomorrow mornings test is over I have a lot to get accomplished... pack for Nebraska and San Antonio, Birthday party for our sweet friend Carlos, Youth Christmas Party on Friday, Clean up the house since I have neglected it all week (oops!), get the car packed, get my hair colored and cut on Friday, eye brow wax, and nails done.  A lot going on these next couple of days... all I really want to do is read a good book, sleep, and allow my brain to recover!

Off to studying again... I can do this!!! Thursday I cannot wait to see you :)

"Studying makes the brain smarter... right?!"

Almost there... Thursday could not come soon enough!

Ughh I am so tired of studying... it is becoming nonproductive.  My brain hurts... all I want to do is watch Holiday movies, read leisure books, sleep, and hang out with my handsome hubby.  Though I have to keep studying.  I have my nutrition exam tomorrow at 1130 and my HBSE exam Thursday at 1130.  Honestly I wish Thursday was tomorrow and I could be done with it all.  When Thursday is over I have a lot to get done.  We have a dinner party for a good friend Thursday night, the youth Christmas party on Friday night, packing all day Saturday for Nebraska and San Antonio,  work on my online Texas Teachers stuff so I can get my certifications, workout, and sleep somewhere in there. I have so much to do and so little time.  I just cannot wait until this semester is over and my last semester of college in the spring!

I am looking forward to Christmas break though... lots of time with family and friends... I cannot wait.

Well I guess I better get back to studying.... ughhhhhh!  Thursday please come soon!

"Studying has taken over me... Luckily there is an end in sight!"

christmas tree, oh christmas tree

So Reagan and I finally finished decorating our very first Christmas tree together.  I thought I would take a picture of it while the tree was lit.  It turned out really pretty... it has his favorite childhood ornaments, my favorite childhood ornaments, colorful ornaments, gold beads, and wedding ornaments.  It turned out wonderfully!
It is so weird to think that we are starting traditions together as a family! We have been loving every minute of it!!
We still have quite the Christmas shopping to do, but tonight we have decided to be lazy-- so I guess it will get done eventually!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful day and has enjoyed decorating for the holidays.  I will post more Christmas decorating pictures soon!

Our First Christmas Tree!! (More pictures to come soon!!)

"Traditions are those that are made with the ones you love."

Humbled by God's Love

Today was just one of those days where I could see and feel God in places that many may not on a day to day basis.  Today I had to do something that I do not like doing at all but I did it with the courage God gave me, and it made me a positive experience. I felt God through that entire meeting giving me the words to say, keeping myself accountable, and allowing myself to be open and honest.  God has given me a gift and heart for children and I love them with everything I have to give.  I felt God move in my Pre-K classroom today... through a hug from a little boy with a big smile on his face, to rocking a precious baby girl to sleep in my arms and looking at her and knowing God made her just the way she is.

I also got to experience the overwhelming joy of watching people from our church get baptized today.  It was incredible to watch a 6 year old, a college student and a middle aged man show their love for God without hesitation and it overwhelmed my heart.  God is definitely moving in me and I can feel it.  When I look at children in our church all I can do is smile and know that God holds all of them in His hands and has a special plan for each one of them.  I pray in the days, weeks, months and years to come I live out God's plans for my life and help impact and change the lives of children for the kingdom of Christ.  I have a gift, an incredible gift, one that I would never give up.  The gift of loving on an innocent precious child is one of the most incredible things that demonstrates God's incredible love with just one hug or smile.

I hope everyone was blessed today and saw God's love in one way or another!

"God your love never ceases to amaze me."

I am in need of a break...

Life has been a little too much for me this year.  Being newly married, figuring out how to live with a boy, school, work stuff, the list could go on and on.  To sum it all up 2010 has exhausted me and I do not know how much more of it I can take. I simply need a break and I am hoping that 2011 brings some wonderful things that allow life to be taken a little bit slower so that I can actually put one foot in front of the other!

I am ready for life to make a little bit more sense, for my plate not to feel like it is overflowing all of the time, and for their to just be a peace about every decision we have made for our life.  I am just exhausted thinking about all we have endured this year.  I was telling a friend today that if I could sleep for an entire week I most definitely would.

Without hesitation, this year has taught me how to need God even more than before and that my husband is truly a blessing from above.  We have been through it all-- happiness, sadness, tears, frustrations, laughter-- the good and the bad.  We are ready to move forward, get out of this season and see what God has in store for us in 2011.  I need a break and more than anything I cannot wait for that to come.  December 16th you could not come any sooner!

When you think of us in the weeks to come continue to pray for us.  Pray that we have endurance, that God keeps us physically healthy, that we have patience and understanding, and that more than anything we continue to turn to Him for everything.

"God grant me the wisdom and peace to know that I do not endure this life on my own."

Hello December, I am so happy to see you!

I cannot believe it is December 1st already-- I am so excited!  I cannot wait for this 18 hour semester to be over... it has been a long one but it is finally coming to an end!

A little recap of Thanksgiving:
It went really well-- both our families celebrated today so that was nice to have everyone in one place-- though we did miss Reagan's mom and Step-dad and little sisters who were celebrating with his side of the family.  The food was delicious and we spent a lot of time just hanging out with family which was such a wonderful blessing.  We are so grateful for our family and it was definitely hard for us to leave!  Cannot wait to go back for Christmas!!

The Farish townhouse looks like Christmas has exploded.  Reagan loves decorating for Christmas so we have had a good time decorating together.  Pictures to come soon... we are still waiting to receive a few decorations from my mom!  We did a little Christmas shopping last night and we are hoping to finish by the end of this week so we can get it out of the way. 
I am not looking forward to studying for finals-- but the time is coming so I am ready to just get it over with!

The countdown in our house has already begun for our visit to Nebraska.  We are both super excited to visit his mom there and play in the snow and celebrate Christmas with them!  It is going to be a lot of fun and she has a lot of fun things planned for us to do so I am definitely looking forward to the time we will get to spend with them!

Well off to studying again... story of my life.  I cannot wait to be officially done with school in the spring!!!

Oh-- and be praying for me-- I am applying to be a sub next semester because I have some days off from school and I am going to be begin the Texas Teachers program online to get my certification to teach elementary school.... So excited!  Just pray that I am able to get a job when I get out :)

"Today is a new day--- embrace every precious gift God has given you!"

experiencing new things in marriage

we are finally home with our families and it is such a beautiful thing!  we have missed them so much and we are so grateful to be here... we were both very anxious on our car ride home last night.  though, driving home I was getting a little nervous-- let me explain.  so all the years Reagan and I dated we never spent the night at each others houses since we lived less than 5 minutes away from each other.  So driving home I knew that I would be staying at Reagan's house since his parents are hosting Thanksgiving and then we will stay at my parents house because they are hosting Christmas. I do not have any idea why I got nervous the closer we got to Reagan's house last night but I did.  It is just weird to me that now that we are married we get to stay with each other at the same house.  Last night we all kinda joked about it but I still thought I was the only one who thought it was kinda weird, because it was the first time.  Well this morning when we woke up and came downstairs his dad was already up.  He looked at us and smiled and told us he has experienced 2 weird things since we have been married.  When he came to visit us at our townhouse and when we waved goodbye to him at the door he thought to himself wow all these years and they are finally married!  This morning he told us when y'all came downstairs this morning I had to do a double take and then remind myself that y'all were married and it was ok y'all came down together!  Haha I had to laugh inside because at least I was not the only one who thought it was crazy that we were finally married and getting to do married things!

Just thought I would leave y'all with this because I thought it was funny and so our family!  Love being home for the first time as a married couple... always about experiencing new things... so wonderful!

Have a wonderful and restful thanksgiving with your families!

"Grateful for the moments that stop and make me laugh."

thank goodness for a break

Thanksgiving break is finally here and I could not be more excited!  I cannot wait to go home and see our families!  It is going to be wonderful to have Thanksgiving with them and be able to sit around and just visit, I miss being able to do that!  I cannot wait to spend time with my parents and do girl stuff with my mom... I have definitely missed that!
Our families are anxiously awaiting for us to come home and I think that is pretty darn cute!  I cannot wait to see everyone and spend time with them and love on them.  It is going to be so so wonderful!
We are so blessed to have people who love us so much and are looking forward to our visit so much!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoys the time that they have to spend with their families!  Be thankful and cherish the sweet time with your friends and families!

"be thankful for the blessings God has given you in life."

stuck in the middle of confusion and learning life...

there are just some things in life lately that I have to take a step back and try to re-evaluate the situation because at first glance I am like... what the heck?!  there are ways people handle themselves that make me wonder, or even the things people say.. I just sometimes want to say WOAH FILTER!  there are just those days when I seem like I have control over nothing and do not understand what God is trying to teach me.  those days are frustrating because I cannot seem to see the whole plan or understand why people are placed in my life at certain times and do and say things I do not get.  I have been in this place for a little while, a place where I really do not understand what is going on around me and I am really looking forward to God allowing me to move forward to a new season in life.  Though, the sad thing is God is teaching me so much in this season of life and one of the big things is patience...

 I am having to learn that it is not on my time by God's time.  I am learning how to truthfully treat and speak to others the way I would like to be treated.  I am learning to love on people like I have no more love to give.  I am learning what it means to really be a Godly wife and how I can best serve my husband and meet his needs.  I am learning that life needs balance and to not sweat the small things that I have no control over.  I am learning that people come and go in life, and that I must be grateful for every new friendship I encounter because they are placed in my life for a reason. I have learned that I am in love with our couples Bible Study Group and I am so thankful for the amazing and Godly couples God has placed in our lives... I look forward to Sunday nights like no body's business-- it is my fuel to get me through the week!  I am learning who I can trust in life and who I cannot trust.  I am learning how to be a better friend and showing them love like God does. I am learning that life is not perfect and there are awful people in this world.  I am learning that loving on kids fills my heart with so much joy that at times it brings me to tears.  I am learning that one day I do believe Reagan and I will make incredible parents... and I cannot wait till God blesses us with a child.  I am learning that balancing school and life is difficult and am looking forward to it all being over in May 2011.  I am learning that ministry is not easy and that supporting my husband is the most important thing ever.  I am learning how to really open up to people and let them see my heart.  I am learning that even though my husband is in seminary that he does not know everything about the Bible and just wants to hear my thoughts after we read scripture together and help me better understand the Bible.  I am learning how to be more humble and how not to force my OCD/ organized self onto others.  I am learning how to fulfill my passion in life by working with kids and families.  Though, above all else I have learned that through all my confusion and everything I have learned God has loved me every step of the way and that is an incredible thing.  My God knew my life before I was even born.  He took on all my sin so that I could accept His love.  He loves me even when I do not look to Him for guidance first.  My God is a sovereign God and for that I am so thankful because today the most important thing I learned yet again (God seems to be teaching me this one thing over and over because He must feel I am not getting it!) is that no matter what happens or what the world throws my way... God's grace is enough for me.  Knowing that one incredible thing makes me smile and hold my head a little higher because it is not just me against the world, it is God and me walking hand in hand as He guides me through the crazy world. Thank you Lord for your provision over my life, without you I am nothing.

"God teach me the things you need me to learn in this season of life so that I may grow even more in my walk with you."

a door closing

Well this week has definitely been very busy and exhausting.  I have been seeking wisdom and searching for answers and I think a door is on its way to closing. I found out this week that all the work I put into nursing school early on in my college career would not benefit me at all if I were to try another university... I would have to start all over.  I am so sorry, but that does not sound like a wonderful option.  I would have to be in school for possibly another 2-4 years and my mind cannot take that... I need a mental break.  Also, talking with my parents the cost would be expensive and not something Reagan and I had budgeted for.  My parents said they would help, but when I searched deep within I could not find a reason I wanted to go back to nursing school other than people telling me it was an idea to consider.  Like I said before I need to stop worrying about other people want me to do and do what I feel God is telling me to do.  So with nothing really working out for the nursing thing, I do believe God is shutting the door.  It feels good, and I feel good about it... I feel like I can finally breathe, move forward and stop asking what if.

With that door shutting, God has still placed on my heart the possible job at Gladney Adoption Agency and teaching elementary school... two things that definitely make my heart smile.  I would absolutely love either option and I am ready to see what direction God will lead me in.  I am also looking into subbing for the elementary schools in our district next semester and I am so excited about that opportunity! I will continue praying for God's direction and for a feeling of peace.

Also, I sign up for my last semester of classes tonight... WOAH!  Things are coming to an end and life is about to change and for once I am not fearful of this change, I am ready to embrace whatever God is going to bring my way.

I cannot wait for next Wednesday to be here... we will be leaving to go and see family for Thanksgiving and we are so excited!  It has been since the wedding that we have seen all our family all together.  It will be a wonderful time to spend with are family and reflect on all the things we have to be grateful for. 

"God's perfect timing for our life is all we can ever ask for."

decisions

I absolutely hate making decisions.  It is definitely a weakness of mine and I am fully aware of that.  I do not like change and I like to please everyone and with making decisions that does not always happen.
I am graduating in the spring and I need to figure out what I want to do with my life after school.  I just do not know!  All I know is that I want to make an impact with kids and families.  Whether that is working for an organization for children and families, teaching, or heck nursing (which yes that has crossed my mind to go back and finish--- though I am finding the likelihood of my hours transferring does not look very good).  I just do not know what would be best for me.  All I know is that staying up late is not a trait of mine-- so I am wondering if I really could attempt the whole nursing thing because night shifts are part of the job :( and quite honestly I am afraid to go back to the school of the nursing world and experience the same crazy emotions I did before that morphed me into someone who was so sad all the time and could not take the pressure of the job... I wish people would not have placed the idea in my mind of going back and finishing once I graduate! UGH... some people may be disappointed in the end when I make my decision... oh well, it is not about them... it is about me and what I believe God is telling me is best for my life!

All I can say is that I am definitely going to be in a lot of prayer... I mean like a whole lot.  I need direction and for once I need to feel confident about my decision, move forward, do not look back or question what if.  Because whether I want to face the facts that God is in control NOT ME and He already knows what is going to happen and where I will be.  So right now I need to stop acting like I have control of my life because I do not-- God does and deep down the peace that brings me knowing He has this divine and special plan for me makes my heart smile because in the end I know that means God will make it clear to me what is best.  So I need to take a deep breath and approach this situation through prayer and seeking guidance.

So, every time I even cross your mind-- pray for me.  Pray that I understand the direction God has for my life and I am obedient to where He is taking my life.  Scary... but I would rather God choose the path for me then have to make the decision myself!

"God help me to understand Your ways for my life, and through all things be grateful for the guidance you will provide me with."

Things I Am Thankful For

Every Sunday night Reagan and I attend a couples community group (aka a Bible Study).  Lets just say we are both in love with our group!  We have the most fabulous people in there who are at all different walks of life.  We have both learned so much from the couples in our group, and it is just so awesome to share experiences with each other.  Our group can laugh and cry together which is one of the things I love the most.  After group was over last night we all hung around and were talking about the most random things.  I have never laughed so hard in my life-- they literally had me rolling.  The best thing about our community group is that we are very open people and I love that about us!  Such an incredible group and God is definitely forming new friendships and bringing us closer as a group.

My hubby is incredible.  He is always there for me--- encouraging me all the time.  Especially when it comes to school and wanting to be done!  He is such an amazing man of God and I am blessed to have him in my life.  I love that he enjoys watching chick-flicks with me on the couch, loves to snuggle, and looks forward to talking at the end of the day.  Even though our marriage is not perfect, it is so comforting to know that we have each other through the journey.  Man I love my hubby so much!

My family--- even though we are far apart and I miss them everyday they are always calling in to check on us and see if we need anything.  They are such a huge support for us and we are so grateful for every prayer they have lifted up for us, to every phone call we have made to figure out how you live life as a married couple!  They are incredible people of God and we are so blessed to be able to call them family.

True friends--- I am learning these are very hard to come by, but the ones I have in my life I cherish with everything I have.  Thank you for being the constant support and encouragement I have needed along this new journey.  Thank you for listening when I needed someone to talk to, and more than anything thank you for being you.  There is a reason God places true friends in your life and I am learning that more and more now being married; always hold them close to your heart.

Oh and horned frog football!  I know you all probably think I am crazy but they are having a terrific season and I am so excited.  We deserve to go to a bowl game this year and play our hearts out and WIN--- that would make for the best senior year ever!!! All I can say is that I am a very proud horned frog!  RIFF RAM BAH ZOO-- GIVE EM HELL TCU!!!!

"God thank you for the blessings you have placed in my life, I am so grateful for Your Love."

it's a PJ's kinda day

it has been one of those days where i have had the motivation to do nothing, and i have stayed in my pj's all day long.  yet, somehow i still managed to get the mounds of laundry done and the dishwasher started --- which seemed to exhaust me even more.  i have had homework and studying to do but i just have not felt like it.  my belly has not felt good the past couple of days (which is normal for me) and i think today since it's not feeling good i just feel like blah.

i wish Reagan was home to cuddle with me and watch movies, but he isn't--- and won't be anytime soon because he has to work late tonight :(

the weather has finally gotten cool here and it feels wonderful.  it is definitely beginning to feel like the holidays. Reagan and i went ahead and bought our first tree together the other night.  it is fake tree since i am allergic to real ones, but we are pretty excited to put it up and decorate it with ornaments together!

i finally figured out my class schedule for my last semester of college --- WOW cannot believe it... so darn excited!

i have no idea what i will do for dinner tonight since it is just me... i really do not have an appetite at all.  maybe soup, that kinda sounds good.  i just need to get my energy back and i wish my belly would feel better!

ready for my hubby to be home so i can snuggle with him... can it please be 9:30 already??

"you are God alone--- through the good times and bad..."

hello again

So I apologize for not blogging in forever... a lot has been going on.

School has been super busy, and I am getting ready to enroll for my last Semester of college classes--- holy moly graduation is approaching!
I am looking forward to walking the stage, what an accomplishment that will be!
I have started browsing jobs and there are some great possibilities in store.  I am continuing to let God guide me in this area-- by showing what doors need to stay open and what others need to close.  It gives me great peace that God knows what is going to be the perfect thing for me even when I do not.

Reagan has been super busy with Carmax and growing the youth group at TCAL.  It still feels like the days go by way too fast and we do not get to spend as much time with each other as we would like.  With that being said, we are both ready for a little break so that we can devote some much needed time to each other.

We are looking forward to going to San Antonio for Thanksgiving with our parents.  This will be the first time that we are going home as a MARRIED couple--- so crazy!
For Christmas we have been given the incredible opportunity to go and visit Reagan's mom, step dad, and sisters in Nebraska.  We will be there for a week and will fly back to San Antonio Christmas Eve morning so that we can spend Christmas with my parents and Reagan's dad and step mom and brothers.  I am very excited to go to Nebraska with my hubby, it will be my first white Christmas.  I
hope I can stand the freezing cold weather!

On a happy and sad note... this past Friday Reagan and I got the cutest little puppy ever.  I had been wanting one for some time and Reagan and I both love dogs, so he finally gave in.  Though, within a couple of days deep down we knew we did not have enough time to train Little Miss Sadye and give her the time she needed as a puppy.  Also, the downside to the issue was that at our townhouse there is no backyard so she was pinned up inside all day and we hated that for her!  So we placed an Ad on Craigslist last night, and a sweet family responded back.  A family that has a backyard, time to be with Sadye during the day, and a sweet 2 year old little girl that wanted a puppy more than ever.  So knowing we had to do what was best for Sadye, we drove her to this sweet Christian family tonight.  All the way there we cried because we hated to see Sadye go- but we knew this was best for her and us.  Dropping her off to the family was one of the hardest things I think we have ever had to do, but in our hearts we both felt good about it because the family instantly started loving on her and we knew it would be a great place for Sadye.  Little Sadye will definitely be missed by us, but Reagan and I came to an agreement that right now in our lives we are too busy for a dog and need more time and a backyard---so as soon as we get a house (whenever that may be) we will begin to consider getting a dog again and really evaluate our living situation and lives.  We love you Sadye girl and you are definitely missed but our sweet family picture with you will always stay in its frame (picture to come soon--- seriously she was so stinkin adorable!)

Well I think that is about all that life has thrown at us lately.  I am exhausted and emotionally drained... time for sleep!

"God give me the strength to walk with you and allow You to lead my life every step of the way."

life

the weeks have been long lately, they seem as if they may never end.
my mind has been consumed with more things than I think it can physically handle-- from school, to marriage, to daily struggles, to things I need to get on my knees for and seek God's utmost wisdom.
by the end of the day I am physically exhausted and want nothing more than to shut my brain off- but things have to be done, studying has to be completed, and spending time investing in my handsome husband is a must.
maybe if the days had more hours in it---it would allow me more time to get everything done. probably not, and I would probably be even more exhausted.
all i can look forward to is Thanksgiving and going home to see our families. then my mind travels to Christmas break--- WOW, I don't even know if I can remember what you do with a break since I haven't had a time to stop and doing nothing for a long time.  I cannot wait to go to Nebraska over Christmas to see Reagan's mom, or home to San Antonio to see our families and do Christmas all together. 
more than anything though, I want spring 2011 to be here... NOW. I want to graduate and walk the stage and be done with having to come home and my day still continues because there is 101 school things to do.  I just want to be able to come home, enjoy dinner with my husband and relax with him... that would be incredible.  the spring could not come FAST enough!!!
i am tired... and I need a break.  but this is our life now.  I am in constant prayer that God can get me through another crazy day and that He will provide for our family in ways that I cannot even comprehend. 

"my God is a great big God--- why should I ever doubt the things He can do--- because in the end He makes all things work together for my good."

I Love My Family

So this weekend was a wonderful one.  Reagan and I had house guests that started arriving on Friday afternoon.  Reagan's brother Jon and their good family friend Matt came to Dallas to watch the Aggie game at Cowboy stadium on Saturday!  They were both wonderful guests and we had so many laughs while they were here this weekend!
On Friday night, my family arrived at our townhouse!  I was so excited, I had not seen my family for 3 months and that is just way too long!  We really didn't do anything on Friday night except watch part of the wedding video my mom brought and sat around and talked.
Reagan and I ended up staying up till 2:30 in the morning with Jon and Matt after my family left to go to their hotel.  We really were not doing anything exciting but reminiscing about the fun wedding weekend!

On Saturday morning, Jon and Matt headed to the Aggie game, Reagan went to work, and I headed to Fort Worth to meet my mom at McKinley's Bakery for a delicious lunch... if you have not been there you must go it is so delicious!  So my mom and I had a girls lunch which was so nice to catch up just the two of us and then we went shopping!  After shopping we headed back to our townhouse to do a big grill out!  It was so delicious-- we had steaks, pork chops, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade macaroni and cheese and desserts!  We had 13 people in our townhouse all together and it was a blast!  We ate, talked, told funny stories-- it was wonderful.  After everyone had left Reagan and I headed to bed because we had church the next morning!

On Sunday, Jon and Matt went to church with Reagan and I and then we met my family at Rudy's barbecue for lunch--- Reagan, my dad, my little brother Peyton, his friend Brooks, and my middle brother Hunter and 3 of his friends from college station all headed to the Cowboys game after lunch.  Yet it was just me and my mom again-- and what better to do than go shopping for fall and winter clothes.  We had a blast and got some really cute outfits.  After our long day of shopping we met the guys for a quick bite to eat.  After eating we all headed back to the townhouse and my mom helped me put away all my summer clothes and hang all my fall clothes-- I seriously have the best mom ever!  After this was all done we had to say goodbye-- it was so hard!  I wanted my family to stay longer.  Though their trip up here was perfect timing.  I needed my parents more than ever with everything that Reagan and I have had to deal with.  It was just wonderful to have my parents love on me and Reagan--- I am just so grateful for them and everything they do for us.

I cannot wait for Thanksgiving when we get to go to San Antonio and spend time with our families--- the holidays could not come any sooner! 
Well that is a recap of our wonderful weekend-- I am off to study for a Test I have Wednesday night.

"God knows the plans for your life even when you have no clue what is going on."

Falling on my Knees

So this week has been one that I did not expect at all.
I had a test on Monday night which I think went fine but my brain was just so ready for it to be OVER.  The rest of the week I needed to be productive and start studying for my test that is this coming Wednesday but unexpected things happen.
My brain kinda shut off and I went in to wife mode for my husband... who is stressed, confused and disappointed.  When you think things are going great and you are in a good season, struggles always come and God tests your faith and that is where we have been this week.  In a mindset where we are trying to understand what God needs us to do and looking to Him for provision.  I do not understand it all and I just wish God would show me the future, that would be so much easier but it does not work like that.
So we are in prayer a lot-- together and apart.  So I ask you to pray, for those of you who know us... just Pray.  Go to your knees and call out to God on behalf of us.  God will know what needs we need to have met even if you don't.  Prayer is a powerful thing and it can move mountains and right now that is all we need--- we need to see the power of prayer at work.
That is all I have today, I wish there was more but this is me being real.  Every time you think of Reagan or I just pray because we need understanding from God more than ever right now.

"I am falling on my knees, offering all of me, Jesus you are all I need..."

so thankful the school week is OVER

Wow, it has been a tough week this week for me.
I have been stressed, hard on myself, and way too worried--- things that I know God was shaking His head at me for because He knew I needed to give it all to Him.

I had to midterms this week on Thursday-- and I studied my little butty off for those things.  The first one on Thursday was all short answer- which we were not told nor was I expecting, but I think it went ok- I did my best, that is all I can ask for right?  The second one on Thursday seemed to go well, it was all multiple choice and I seemed to know it and the way I studied seemed to work really well.  I needed a good grade on this test because I did not do so good on the first test of the semester, so hopefully it went well.
When Thursday rolled around this week and my tests were done, I was exhausted.  My body literally could not go anymore and my brain hurt.  I had planned on studying yesterday for a test I have on Monday, but I could not do it-- my brain needed a break for sure!

Today I started my morning off at the gym and it was good, but my mind was definitely all over the place-- I kept looking at all these women in the gym that have amazing bodies and I kept telling myself I need to be like that-- I definitely know those are not thoughts from God but from Satan.  Ugh, it was frustrating and mirrors in the gym should be banned-- I just don't like them it makes you pick on your body even more when you are working out.  Though the workout was good and it definitely helped me relieve some stress that I had built up from this week.

The day is gorgeous here in Mansfield, I wouldn't mind it to be a little cooler but Fall is definitely coming and that is so exciting!

Next weekend Reagan's brother Jon is coming to Dallas for the Aggie game that is being played here so that will be so nice to see them!  Also my parents may be coming next weekened too-- So my mom is going to bring up the fall stuff she made us for our house.... so stinkin excited!

I am excited for tonight-- we are having a couples dinner--- it has been too long and will be so good, can't wait!

Well off to studying... do not want to but it has to be done!  I hope everyone has a relaxing Saturday!

"God is good all the time, all the time God is good."

Rainy days :)

So this morning I woke up to the sound of rain and it was a beautiful sound.  I laid in bed for a long time listening to the rain and praying, it was such a wonderful way to start the morning. 
It is days like these where all I want to do is curl up in a blanket and snuggle on the couch and watch movies all day long.  Though, the life of a senior in college-- I do not get very many Saturday's where I get to do this.  So today even though movies are calling my name I will be studying for my 2 midterms that are next Thursday... prayers are much needed!

My tests this week went really well.  I made a 91 on the first one and an 84 on the second one... I wish I could have gotten an A on the second one too I just did not have enough time from Tuesday (the day of my first test) to Wednesday (the day of my second test) to get as prepared as I wanted to for the second one... Oh well I am shooting for an A for test 2... no need worrying about it now!

Reagan is busy at Carmax today-- working in the rain, definitely not one of his favorite things to be doing!  He is doing really well there and seems to like the people he works with so all is well :)

Fall is finally coming-- I wish it would come faster.  I bought the most delicious smelling candle last night-- pumpkin spice it smells so good, I cannot wait to burn it!  Also, my mom is sending our fall package our way super soon--- She made us a wreath and a kitchen table arrangement and some other things... so ready to decorate for fall!  My mom told us last night that we are supposed to be getting a cold front and I got all excited because I am ready to put my summer clothes away and hang up my winter clothes.. how pathetic, I just love wearing boots, sweaters and jackets.  I am definitely ready for the cold weather to kick in so that I can enjoy a pumpkin spice latte and not be burning up as I drink it!

I feel like laziness is going to take over me today... but it cannot, I have to much to do!  So here is hoping I get the things done that I wished to get accomplished today!

Oh... so excited community groups (at home bible studies) start tomorrow for our church.  We are going to have an awesome group and I am so pumped!! Cannot wait to see what God is going to teach me, Reagan and I as a couple and our whole group!  It is going to be awesome to watch God move!
Everyone enjoy listening to the pitter patter of the rain today-- such a soothing sound!  Have a wonderful Saturday.

"Feeling God's love each day is a gift I cannot contain--- I want to share with everyone."

Another day, Another Week

Sorry I have not been on here in so long... Life finally caught up with me.  More like school overwhelmed me-- and all I have been doing is school and studying.

Reagan has been super busy with his online grad class for seminary, working at Carmax selling cars, and growing the student ministry at TCAL!
At the end of the day most days we look at each other and wish there were more hours in a day so that we could spend just a little more time with each other.

18 hours is finally kicking in and beginning to kick my butt-- I have 2 tests this week and 2 papers due and next week I have 3 tests and 2 in one day-- that is just not ok! Each day I have to pray for strength to make it through the day because some days seem like they are never going to end.

Reagan and I are both ready for the cold weather to come to Dallas and for Thanksgiving to be here so that we can go to SA Town and see our families.  We are also ready for Christmas because we think a trip to Nebraska to see his mom may be in our future! :)

This past weekend we got to go on a surprise date to the Dallas Aquarium-- it was a lot of fun but definitely a one time deal-- it is so expensive for 2 people to go and tour for how short it is... oh well it was something fun I had never done before :)

It is official that our date nights are now Thursday nights- it is so nice to look forward to this because my week of school ends Thursday so it is a nice time for Reagan ad I to spend together and not have to worry about anything at least for one night!

The semester seems to be flying by and I feel like the next thing that will happen is it will be Spring and that means graduation is right around the corner!
I am still praying about if God wants me to go to Grad school or if I will be blessed with a wonderful job that I love.  Praying for understanding for what He needs me to do with my life-- so I would love for prayer in this area.

Well that is a little recap of how we have been lately- life is good... just super busy, sometimes I wish I could stop time just so I could take a breather!

"All I need is you Lord, is you Lord, all I need is You."

It's a FROYO kind of night :)

So all week I have been studying for my big comparative psychology exam that was today... I think it went well but we shall see! I am just so glad it is OVER!

I am so glad that for me Thursday is the last day of school.  After the week of studying I have had, I definitely need to re-group tomorrow and get stuff done that I neglected to do this week!

So I have an awesome hubby!! He called me on his way home from work tonight all excited and said you know what tonight is... Thursday Night Date Night!! WOOHOO!!
He asked me what I wanted to do and I really want to go get Froyo-- for those of you who do not know I am obsessed with frozen yogurt!  So he is taking me to get frozen yogurt and then we are either going to a movie at the theatre or renting one and bringing it back home and cuddling :)
All these options sound wonderful as long as I get my FROYO!

I am so blessed to have my husband who cares about me so much --- oh and to make things better he is off tomorrow, so we get to spend some time together before he goes to the football game for the high school tomorrow night and I head to the Women's Event for TCAL!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful week... CELEBRATE tomorrow is FRIDAY!


"Love life-- it is the most Precious Gift God has given us!"

Just one of those days...

So this Sunday morning started off a little rough in the Farish household. I did not sleep very well at all last night. With the weather how it has been my allergies have been majorly acting up -- I don't feel bad I am just stopped up!

So lets back up first --- Last night we went to the TCU football game and the Horned Frogs dominated!  It was an awesome way to start out the season! (side note, my camera was out of battery-- so I got no pics from the game last night! UGH!) After the game, Reagan and I headed home and we realized we had not eaten dinner... so he decided he would stop at Sonic.  I now know why I have the rule of not eating fast food and not at 11:15 at night.  The couple bites of food I had my belly did not like so I just gave up!  It will probably be better for me in the end since I am trying to get more tone and lose some weight.  My hubby on the other hand can eat whatever he wants and still look so handsome-- so not fair!

Once we got home we had to get ready for Sunday stuff.  Reagan was reviewing some outlines for his meeting he had this morning with his youth leaders and I was trying to get stuff ready for the kids ministry.  Well aside from doing that stuff we were also looking on line for a new phone for me.  My iPhone has been freaking out lately and I am just not impressed with apple right now... so if anyone has a smartphone that they love from AT&T I would love to know which phone you have!

After all of this was done, I realized Reagan had fallen asleep on the couch during the process of looking for me a phone, so I woke him up and we headed to bed -- I think he was still half asleep walking upstairs. 

Well I was exhausted and was ready to get a good nights sleep--- WRONG!  I went to bed and my right eye kept watering like no body's business.  Then I felt like my chest was getting heavy (and I have asthma-- so I know what it feels like to not be able to breathe). Seriously, these allergies STINK!  So, I tried waking Reagan up-- I was not having an asthma attack but my eye was spazzing out, my nose was all clogged up and my chest was feeling funky... so I thought I will try to wake him up he cannot be in that deep of a sleep.. well boy was I wrong!  He was out cold... I tried waking him up at least three times and he never moved!  When he didn't wake up I decided to get out of bed and get some more water and try to make my eye stop watering.  Lets just say that this all began around 12:30ish and I did not lay my head back down until 2:45 and my alarm was set to go off at 7:35-- I was not a happy camper when I had to wake up this morning!

Other than that, the children's ministry was very busy today but all my favorite Pre-kers were there so it made it a wonderful morning!

After church, we went and had lunch with Jace at Chuy's which was delicious and filling--- we missed not having Karlie there though--- we love seeing our newly engaged couple friends!

Once lunch was done, we headed back home to do homework and that is what we have been doing ever since.  I will be so glad when school is finally OVER forever!

Not being hungry for dinner at all, my sweet hubby grabbed us a snack of a California roll to share and some edemame-- it definitely hit the spot and now we are back to studying again, ugh!

We really want to watch a movie tonight but we are both so tired from today--- so here is to wishful hoping for a movie and snuggling :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful labor day tomorrow and has enjoyed their long weekend with friends and family!

"Enjoy the simple moments, because life is one crazy unpredictable ride!"

Go FROGS!!!!

HOORAY!!! College football is finally here and I could not be more excited!!!
Our sweet friends Brandon and Courtney (TCU Alum) had two extra tickets to the game tonight and they invited us to go with them!  We are going to be sitting on the 25 yard line about 20 rows up so the seats should be awesome!
I cannot wait to get to the game tonight--- there is going to be purple everywhere and I love that most about TCU football games.
I am going to ride with Brandon and Courtney tonight to get to the Cowboys stadium early and then Reagan is going to meet us there right after he gets off work!
One thing I miss about TCU football games is having my best friend Hannah there.  Though, I know she is wearing her purple all the way in Olney, Texas and she will be cheering on the frogs!  She will always be a horned frog at heart :)

Well until I leave to go to the game, today is consisting of laundry, study for my comparative psychology test that is on Thursday, picking up the house a bit, and getting ready for the game!

I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend and enjoys spending time with their friends and family!!!

RIFF RAM BAH ZOO... GIVEM HELL TCU!!!

"Enjoy the simple things in life- family and friends because they are God's greatest gift that He gave to us!"

Rainy and Gloomy days are PERFECT for Sleeping

So it was way too hard to get out of bed this morning.  I could hear the rain outside our bedroom window and I was all cozy under the covers so all I wanted to do was stay in bed and sleep!
I was finally able to pull myself out of bed and get dressed.  My cold seems to be a little bit better today I am just so darn tired-- I wish the weather would decided if it wants to be hot or cold and then I would stop getting colds!
I am so glad this is the end of my week -- I am ready for a break! 

Oh great news!!! We have some wonderful friends who are taking Reagan and I to the TCU football game at the Cowboys Stadium on Saturday!!!! WOOHOO!! We are both super excited and can hardly wait!  I will definitely post pictures from Saturday night!

Other than school, this week has flown by pretty fast-- this weekend will have to consist of studying though because I have a test next week :(
I am definitely not ready for tests to start--- but ready or not here they come!

Reagan has been working super hard this week and their first Ignite Bonfire for their youth group was last night!  He said it went fabulous and there were so many students who had brought friends!  He was so excited when he got home because he said there were so many kids at the Bonfire and that he did not get to meet everyone and for him that made him very happy!

Well off to class I go-- hopefully the rainy day will make the day go by faster!  I would definitely rather be in bed snuggled under the covers watching a movie! :)

"The smell of rain let's me know that God is magnificently powerful"

Have you ever...

So today my mind has been all over the place thinking about random things.  I got a lot of school work accomplished during my "forced study break" but I was just thinking about things that didn't really relate to school... oops!  Though, I just have those days where I wish I could talk to God face to face and I could ask Him all my questions that have crossed my mind or that I wonder about and do not know the answers too.  I am sure when I get to Heaven one day He will be more than happy to walk with me in His kingdom and explain to me all the things I did not understand or have questions to when I lived on earth!

Have you ever...
 wondered why there are so many different languages in the world or where they all came from?
Or what other people from different cultures think about you?
Or how fast your hair grows in the span of a couple of months?
Or why people yell across the library at others instead of simply walking over and talking to the person?
Or how many people read the Bible?
Or what all your family and friends are doing in Heaven while you are still here on earth?
Or why you always get butterflies in your tummy when you start something new?
Or why there are only 24 hours in a day?
Or why people have different personalities and characteristics that make them who they are?
Or why people show Love in so many different ways?

I honestly do not really know the answers to the questions but these are just things I have been thinking about during the day--- random I know!  But, being at TCU on such a diverse campus you see and experience a lot of things and some days it just makes my mind wonder.... hmmmm.... I wonder why/ I wonder if...?

On a different note, it has been a good Monday.  I got to have lunch with one of my former beautiful roommates, Jillian.  It was so nice to see her and catch up with her and just laugh with her.  I miss that most about living at the dupe--- living with girls who are all so different but are so much fun!  Though, living with my hubby is awesome too and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Also, pray for Reagan he is sick :( He is going to the doctor early tomorrow morning because the over the counter meds are not making him feel much better.  Let's just say when my husband gets too involved in too many things and doesn't have enough time to sleep he gets a sinus infection--- so this is most likely what is happening right now because he is so darn busy!  So pray that he has time to rest and recover!

On a happy/butterfly in your stomach note.... my little brother Hunter started his first day of college at Blinn today in college station.  According to my mom he was a little nervous this morning which is definitely understandable--- I remember my first day and I was super scared!  So be praying for him this week and that he transitions well into college and stays on track with homework and studying!  I love you Bubba, Reagan and I are praying for you!! :)

Well I hope everyone has had a great start to the week!  Smoothie King is in my future for dinner since I have a night class that starts at 5.... a large protein shake sounds pretty delicious right about now :)

"Take time to absorb the world around you because there are so many intricate things we miss everyday."

My LAST first week of College---DONE!

So the first week is over, thank the Lord I have Friday's off!  I have definitely needed today to regroup, get homework and readings done, clean up the house, do laundry and plan the meals for next week!  I seriously do not know what I would do without a day off.

The first week of class went ok.  It is definitely going to be a crazy semester with 18 hours but I really think I am going to like all of my classes.  I had to drop my Tuesday night class because the professor was not very nice and I could tell we were not going to get along very well, so luckily I was able to get in the Monday night class I have been wanting to get into!  WOOHOO!

So, Reagan now has to do dinner for himself on Monday's and Wednesday's which won't be too bad!  Tuesday nights we will both be home together and Thursday's my sweet hubby has declared as our date night since he is now the FCA Chaplain for Timberview High school and will be gone for the next two months on Friday nights for football games... if they are home games I should be able to go with him but away games I have to stay home.  I am going to be honest, when I first learned about all this was going to entail I got a little upset because I felt like we were both just too busy and would not have time for each other but my husband seems to have it all worked out to where we have a night by ourselves and he is helping me around the house with stuff since I am so busy with school so that is definitely a blessing!

Also, I got a text from Reagan about an hour ago and today he started selling cars at Carmax.  He texted me to tell me that he had sold his first car today and the person also purchased a warranty package!  I was so proud of him and you could definitely tell he was pumped!  He is such a good salesman :)

This weekend has already been off to a good start!  Last night we celebrated our friends Karlie and Jace who just got engaged last night.  She was completely surprised and did not even expect it!  We met up with them at the Melting Pot for dessert and to celebrate... so delicious!

Today, I had lunch with one of my sweet TCU friends Megan!  She just got engaged last Saturday night so we had lunch to catch up, hear about the proposal and talk wedding stuff!  It was so much fun and such a blessing to see her and celebrate with her in this special time of her life.  She did such an awesome job being a bridesmaid for me and celebrating my special moment in life so I hope I can do just a good a job as she has done for me!  Love you sweet girl!!

Today I have also spent a lot of time on the phone with my best friend Hannah.  I miss her so much and I just miss getting to see her and her beautiful family and watching little Ava grow up.  I had a dream the other night that our families finally lived close to each other and it was the best thing ever.  I am so blessed to have her because she is my person that I can talk about "anything and everything" with!!  I love our talks--- and hours can go by and we are still talking away on the phone.  Love you so much Hannah and thank you for everything!

Well off to studying and reading I go!  I have quite the load to do today... UGH!
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

"Perseverance-- the greater the obstacle the more glory you will have in overcoming it!"

um Summer could you please come BACK!?

So the fall semester is under way... and WOW it was freaking hot outside walking on campus.  Gross I know, but I was sweating today, it is just too dang hot!  I am ready for some fall breeze to head my way!
My Monday went well.  I really liked my nutrition professor-- she seems like she will be fun. 
Tomorrow is definitely going to be crazy!  I have three classes back to back and then a break from 4:50-5:50 and then a night class that starts at 6!  Tomorrow is going to be a long day!
I think tomorrow after my crazy long day more than ever I will want summer to be back --- during the summer I am not rushed to do things, we get to hang with friends all the time, and I love the staying up late and sleeping in part!!
I am already getting a little nervous watching my planner fill up with assignments and tests... YUCK!
Let's just say thank goodness this was my Last first day of School EVER... WAHOOO!
This morning my prayer was definitely God give me strength to make it through this crazy semester!
I told Reagan today I am going to need his help more around the house with chores and such... he just smiled, said he would, and promised me he would not let me lose my sanity this semester--- let's hope he sticks to that promise!
Well I am off to start reading for class tomorrow--- yes already.  Wow senior year you are here and the work load has already kicked in!  Wish me luck and lots of concentration!

"Today was a day I will remember but a day I will never have to Repeat-- I definitely love the sound of that!"

I LOVE getting Ready for School

So I am not super excited about going back to school--- that means quizzes, tests, projects and papers.  None of that sounds fun at all.  Though, I am ready to be back on TCU campus, see all my friends, have lunch dates with lovely people, and experience my last year of college.  Holy moly... my LAST year.  These past four years have gone by way too fast and some pretty incredible changes have occurred over these fours years that have definitely made me a stronger person. 

I am ready for this year and most of all I love getting ready for the school year.  I love buying things for school like folders and notebooks--- I have no idea why but I love getting these things and then getting them all organized.  I love getting my agenda ready and organized, I know I am a dork and sadly my backpack is all ready to go for the first day of class on Monday.  I guess this is the planner part of my personality but if I do not have these things done ahead of time it puts me in a funky attitude and I just feel so unorganized.  Even more crazy, I already had a reading assignment to do for one of my classes on Tuesday.  I read the chapter today and it seems like the class is going to be really interesting, so I am excited to see how the teacher will conduct the class!  Yes I already read the chapter, do not make fun of me--- I like getting ahead!

Things that scare me/ make me nervous about my senior year:

1)I am a married woman now and that means I have to balance my time even better than before.  Luckily, my best friend Hannah has told me I will get used to it and get into a routine and it will all be ok.  She has been married for almost two years (October 25th will be their 2 year anniversary).  Not only has she been a wife, but also a mother to Ava and is in nursing school.  If she can do it all hopefully I can too!  Thankfully I believe her and know sooner or later I will get down a schedule that works for Reagan and I.  Seriously I don't know what I would do without Hannah and her awesome advice!  I guess I am not really scared about this-- just more aware that I need to manage my time the best I can.
2)I have to take 18 hours again this semester because my July summer school class got cancelled.  I am trying not to get too stressed about this and my classes seem to be really interesting this semester.  I am also trying to remind myself that I took 18 hours last Spring and I made my best GPA ever!  I have to keep telling myself take one day at a time and God will carry me through!
3)I have to commute to school.  It is only a 15-20 minute commute which is really nothing compared to what some people have to drive, but the one problem for me is I hate being LATE!  I also HATE finding parking at TCU for commuters--- it is ridiculous!  I know after the first week I will have a schedule down as to when I need to leave, but lets just say I hate unknowns and traffic is definitely an unknown.  Luckily Reagan has assured me that the times I have to go to class there is never traffic.... Lets hope he is right!
4)I am going to be in the real world in One year.  WOAH!  I am definitely ready to see how God is going to use me in my major and what my first job will be.  I have made some awesome connections with people this summer and look forward to seeing the job opportunities those connections will present me with.  I am also highly considering getting my online teaching certificate in the spring.  I have learned I have a passion for teaching children and loving on them and I would really love to teach once Reagan and I want to start having kids (which is no time soon) but I would love to have this certificate as a "fall back plan" even though deep down inside I would love having my own classroom and my own students!  It will be interesting to see what God has in store.

I am definitely ready to embrace this year.  I feel that God is going to teach me so many new things and grow me in so many different ways.  I am ready for the life challenges I know will occur.

I am ready to begin my last year in college, I never thought I would be ready but I am--- Thank you God for walking by my side these past three years.  I know you will be with me each step of the way this year and for that I am so grateful!

Today I will leave you with this picture of me and my best friend Hannah.  This was our Freshman Year at TCU.  We were roommates--- and because of our freshman year we became life long friends.  This picture is from an event our dorm, Colby Hall put on.  It was called Splatter Beat and it was a blast--- we were covered in paint from head to toe!  I will never forget memories like this.  Even though Freshman Year seems so long ago I will always cherish moments like these with the people I love the most! :)

"Beginning a new chapter in your life can be a scary thing--- allow yourself to be carried through by God."

My Little Brother is Growing UP

So my parents are in college station this weekend to take my brother to BLINN for college.  So crazy, I cannot believe he is going to be a freshman in college.  Wow how time flies and I feel like I am getting old!!! 

I think my parents are a little worried about Hunter because he is not very independent but I keep reminding especially my mom that he has to grow up sometime and this is his opportunity.

I definitely think it is both bitter sweet for my parents because they do not want to leave him at college station but they know it is time to "let him go."

So, be in prayer for my brother, Hunter and my parents as they leave him on Sunday to head back to San Antonio.

I think it is going to take Hunter some time to get on his feet at college but I have a feeling he is going to adapt really well especially since a ton of his best friends will be there with him.

On a different note, Reagan and I have no idea what we are going to do tonight.  My back is still really sore so continue to pray for that to heal and I am on a cooking strike for tonight-- haha so who knows what we will eat!

I cannot believe school is about to start-- woah!  Senior Year here I come!!

I am leaving y'all with this cute picture of my brother and I from the engagement party my parents threw Reagan and I in San Antonio.  Bubba I love you so much; stay strong while you are at college and know that I am ALWAYS here for you--- I LOVE YOU!

"Change is hard to embrace, but allow yourself to learn from life's changes."

Life has been busy...

So it has been a while since I have blogged and I apologize for that, life has been crazy around the Farish House!

Last weekend we lead a DNOW for ARBC church in Garland Texas. Reagan and I had 11th grade girls and boys.  It was awesome to get to connect with those students and teach them about God's love.  One of Reagan's guys accepted Christ and that was a huge WIN that the whole group got to celebrate!

Since getting back home from that DNOW we have been busy getting ready for school.  Reagan is taking one online class at the seminary and I am in my Senior year at TCU and I will be taking 18 hours this semester since my July summer school class got cancelled!  So to say the least our house is going to be crazy busy this Fall!

Reagan is enjoying working part-time for Carmax and is loving being the Youth Leader at our church TCAL.  We are both very excited for the changes that occurring in the youth group and the new direction that the youth group is headed for the Fall--- the students our super pumped about meeting in home groups so it should be incredible watching them grow!

I am loving working with the Pre-K at church and loving on them-- they are so cute and so sweet!  I currently just became the Intern for our church for Pre-K and Babyridge, so I am excited to see how God is going to use me in those areas.

Reagan and I are not very excited to start school but I am so grateful this is my last year at TCU!  I am ready to get into the real world and help kids and families.  I am just so open to see how God is going to use me with my major in a job setting.

On a not so happy note, I somehow hurt my back on Saturday night and had to go to the chiropractor yesterday.  I had never been to the chiropractor so I was a little nervous and scared--- but I trusted the guy I went to, he is the chiropractor Reagan used to work for.  He was so incredibly nice yesterday.  He took a lot of X-rays of my back and we have to go back today at 3pm to talk about what he saw on the X-rays and how he can get my back better.  So be in prayer that God gives him the wisdom to help me.

Reagan is also off of work today since his mentor is not working today so it is very nice to have him home and to be able to hang out together.  We are loving married life and the time we are getting to spend together!  We are so looking forward to growing together as a married couple this fall and cannot wait to see how God will use us to further His kingdom!

This picture is from the DNOW we lead.  It was a super hero theme so Reagan made our costumes because I did not have time to.  He came up with SuperDude and SuperChick--- pretty creative!  He got us capes and everything!  Gosh my husband is super creative and so incredibly awesome! :)

"Today is a new day, so Embrace the Life God has Given You!"

Just One of Those Days

So my alarm clock went off at 7:25 this morning-- definitely not a good start to the day.  I am a morning person-- once I get up and get into my routine but I do not like getting up that early on a summer day!!!
I had to be walking out my door at 8:25 this morning to drive 30 minutes to get to the mechanic so that he could take a look at my explorer-- or as Reagan would say "OUR" explorer.  I arrived at the shop at 9:00am.  My oil needed to be changed, something was wrong with my breaks, and my dash/stereo has been having issues. The mechanic said it would be a while, just my luck!  Reagan is out on work and could not come and get me so luckily a friend was able to swing by and come get me so that I did not have to sit there all day-- thank the Lord!

The mechanic changed my oil, fixed my front breaks, but could not fix my radio-- everything seemed to be connected fine-- so frustrating!  So, he sends me to Car Toys to see if they can figure out what is wrong.  By this time I am just now leaving the mechanics at 1:00 pm, it has already been a long morning.  I begin to make my 20 minute drive to Car Toys-- once I got there I could tell they were busy.  I kept thinking in my head this is not going to be good.  When they finally got my car in to look at it they could not figure out what was wrong.  In the end they decided that some piece was broken and they need to order a whole new one, so I have to go back Saturday morning for them to install it since they were missing one of the two pieces they needed to hopefully make my car work!

It is days like today that I am so grateful I have an awesome dad who took care of most of this stuff when I was in high school and some of college and that I have an incredible husband who when he has the time does all the car stuff because it is just so darn frustrating for me!  I just feel like every time I walk into a car place and they see that I am a girl they kinda just laugh inside--- I could be totally wrong about this statement but one thing I do know is that I feel totally out of place at car places.

All I can say is that after a day like today pure exhaustion has set in... from driving multiple places to get my car fixed to trying to understand everything they were fixing on my car was enough to make my head spin!

I need a relaxing night and I have no clue what is for dinner--- haha leftovers may be on the menu for tonight!

"Fact of the Day: Life is crazy and there is nothing you can do to change that!"

Prayer is Powerful

Today I am in need of prayer.  My mind seems to be all over the place.  Today big conversations have to happen and my heart is hoping deep down that we get the answers we need for our family of two.  Today is one of those days where I feel like I have all the questions in my head that I want to ask, but my heart is telling me I need to be quiet and just listen.  It is days like this that I wonder if I will feel stronger at the end of the day?--the Spirit of God keeps reminding me Prayer is so Powerful, give Everything to Me-- all your worries, troubles, concerns, and fears.

While doing my devotional this morning God opened my eyes to His promises and all He has done for me--- all I can say is thank you God for taking my sin from me.  Thank you for always knowing my life before I do, and holding my hand as I walk through the uncertainties of life; God you are so so Good!

I sit here today writing this knowing that today is just another speed bump in life-- Good or Bad, God is going to see Reagan and I through.  We may not understand where life is taking us, but God knows.  I have learned more recently than ever-- do not try wrapping your mind around the Magnificence of God.  I have to tell myself daily--- if God wanted me to understand all His life plans for me than He would leave me in charge and thank goodness He doesn't!

So today if you think of Reagan or I just pray.  I can't tell you what the situation is that you are to pray for, but if God places us on your hearts and minds He will reveal to you what needs to be prayed for.  Thank you Lord for being the Leader of my Life.

In my life I have seen the Power of Prayer work and I know without a doubt Prayer is a mighty thing.  I have learned that Prayer can get you through some of the darkest and brightest times of life --- Prayer is our direct link to God, so remember to speak to Him daily-- He longs to hear from you.

"I am falling on my knees, offering all of me, Jesus you are all I need..."

I am Ready for this Monday to be OVER!

So being gone for a week at youth camp meant that chores built up around my house.  Being super sick on Saturday after getting home from camp on Friday means everything got pushed to today--- ugh.  Luckily, my husband is awesome and he went with me to the grocery store last night to get all our groceries; I think he was getting tired of there being no food at our house-- that is what happens when you do not go to the grocery store for 2 weeks!

Seriously though, I woke up this morning and I still don't feel very good at all-- it is taking forever for this Z-pack to kick in and I am on the third day!  So, needless to say I did not want to do the things that needed to be done around the house.  I started laundry this morning which has become a norm around our house on Monday's.  Then, I made my way to the computer to print off grades and class schedules so that I could get my scholarship money-- doing this meant that I had to get into my car and drive to the post office and quite frankly I just did not have the energy.  Though, Slowly but Surely I made it to the post office to mail my letters and scholarship stuff. After that little chore was done I headed to Target to pick up some things that we forgot last night-  Luckily Target did not suck me in today, I think my body was just too tired to browse.  Though, while I was there my brain wasn't really working and I got home forgetting TWO items that we needed.  I guess Two items is better than the whole list... right??  While I was out I also got some decorative stuff for our home... we had a couple spots in the house that were just missing something-- so thank goodness I found those beautiful pieces today!

Half way through the day, and all my errands have been run expect going to the passport office to change my last name on my passport.  Two loads of laundry have been folded and put away and the last load is in the dryer.  The house has been picked up but has not yet received its DEEP CLEAN--- I am going to wait till I am healthy again so that I can kill all the germs; PATHETIC I know.

I cannot wait for my hubby to get home-- 6pm please come sooner!  We are having lasagna, green beans, salad and garlic pesto bread for dinner, YUMMY!

Also, I am anxiously awaiting for my Kraft cookbook magazine to arrive in the mail-- it is taking for forever, along with the free cookbook I am receiving for subscribing for a whole year!  I am ready to make new yummy meals, so hurry up already Kraft!!

Prayers that I get better soon--- I am so tired of feeling YUCKY! 

UGH the passport office is calling my name.  For everything I have done today while not feeling good I definitely deserve a nap!!

"On those crazy days--- RELAX, take DEEP BREATHS, and Remember GOD is in CONTROL!"

TCAL Summer Camp 2010!!

This year for TCAL youth camp we went to Baylor University to attend a student life camp.  A lot of us did not know what to expect because we had never been to this camp but God definitely knew what was going to happen!
The weeks sermons were incredible and the kids really seemed to take a lot out of them.  The life verse for the week was Micah 6:8!!  It was awesome to see how many of our students were moved this week.
Youth camp was amazing for our youth-- it bonded us together like I have never experienced before.  God was really working on the hearts of our youth this week.
The Youth Girls Motto for the week at camp was: DO IT SCARED!  Life is not easy and there are so many things we have to do--- but knowing we can do it scared and God will always be with us is the most overwhelming feeling ever!
God really showed me how I could be a servant for these students this week and how I needed to be used as the youth pastors wife.
There were many times I stood back in awe amazed at the changes God was making in the hearts of our students.  It was also incredible to see that God knew each student and leader needed to be there--- my God is incredible.
Not only as youth but as leaders we are more bonded together.  We allowed God to move in us and He did a mighty work in us.
Thank you God for allowing me to be used by You this week so that I could help impact the lives of students; I am humbled by your grace each day.


"Savior He can move the mountains, my God is Mighty to Save He is Mighty to Save..."

Cooking and Cleaning Cleanses the Soul

So today was get ready for camp day and organize; I was so ready to tackle this day!  The morning started off with me heading to Target to pick up some things for camp-- I needed sun screen, face wash, and a tooth brush cover.  Little did I know that my "quick trip" to Target would turn into an hour and a half of browsing.  Honestly, there is just something about Target and it pulls me in every time.  I got everything I needed on my list, but then I went and browsed at the clothes, shoes, jewelry, and then I was on a mission to find another book (that is all I do in the summer is read, so if anyone has some good books they have read let me know the titles!!).  I browsed the book isles for what seemed like forever and I thought I had found a good one but in the end I put it back because I had never really read anything by the author. Then, on my way out I got sucked in by the organizational isle and the pretty folders and notebooks-- seriously sometimes I feel like I have ADD in Target because I want to look at everything and I want one of everything!!
While I was picking the folders I wanted this year for school and my spirals my pastor's wife, Shannon ran into me-- not literally but we stopped and talked for a bit.  She was getting grocery items and I really couldn't say what I was getting since I had browsed so long and kinda forgot what my mission was... HAHA!

Once everything was bought, I headed home to organize.  I got this really cool grocery magnet thing that goes on the fridge-- it will be really helpful for Reagan because once he realizes we are out of something he can just put a check and how many of that item we need!  I love making it easier for him and easier on me when I go grocery shopping!!!  After hanging my cute little grocery list thingy I headed into the office to organize and go through my things.  I love throwing stuff away-- so cleaning and getting rid of stuff from last semester felt so good!  Once that chore was done I headed upstairs to my closet to sort through and organize my jewelry.  It has really been bugging me how cluttered it was-- so the job got done today and it looks beautiful-- all color coordinated and organized by style!

After my cleaning jobs where done, I was in the middle of folding Reagan's clean laundry when I decided I would pack for camp for him.  He has been busy at work all day today and I thought to myself this is the least I can do for my hubby to show how much I appreciate him.  So I packed pretty much everything I think he needs for camp--- from gym type clothes, to outfits for worship, to socks and undies, and a bathing suit for dirty games!  This was my give back to him, now all he has to do is put it in a bag and add what he needs!  I love my hubby and it felt good doing this for him!

Dinner is cooking as we speak-- whole wheat pasta topped with a tomato basil and mushroom sauce, baked chicken, peas and garlic bread!  Well my hubby is home now and it is time for us to enjoy dinner and relax!

"Simple things for others-- show leaps and bounds of LOVE."

Oh Praise Him

So this morning I was dreading getting out of bed,  I still had that tired feeling in my body that I just couldn't shake.  Though when I finally made it out of bed then I dreaded putting on my workout clothes to go to the gym.  I am really not sure why I did not want to go this morning, but I just didn't.  When I made it down stairs I was in slow mode-- I could not get going, and I ate my honey nut cheerios even slower.  Once I was done, I read my devotional before the gym hoping that it would give me the motivation I needed.
The overall message for my devotional today was-- Take time to Praise God even in the busy day to day life.  I sat there and thought on this and was like hmmm how can I do this better and I really could not think of anything at the moment.  So I decided I needed to get my butty moving and head to the gym!

Once I got to the gym I stared at the treadmill with dread-- I did not want to get on.  Though in the back of my mind I was trying to think of how best I could give God my praise even when I am so busy and not in the best of moods.  So, I went to put my iPhone on Pandora-- and instead of it being on the hip- hop channel it is usually on for the gym, it was on one of my praise and worship stations.  I had changed the station the other day when I was watching Emmy and putting her to sleep, and I completely forgot that I hadn't changed it back to my workout station.

I decided to leave it on my praise and worship station--- and WOW what an encouragement.  Do you ever have those days where all the songs you hear God knew you needed to hear.  It was song after song on this Pandora station that I was like WOAH, it almost moved me to tears because even though I had had a not so "go get it attitude" this morning and wasn't really sure how to apply my devotion better to my life-- God knew and was like-- Ashley this is what I need you to hear right here and right now. It was in these moments that I felt like my devotion was coming to play in my life-- and even though I wanted to go full force at the gym to boost my energy God had other plans for how to FILL ME UP!  So as I was working out today I couldn't contain my smile because God was using those songs to move through me.  I was hoping that people around me could see that God had moved me from the inside out in just a matter of 15 minutes-- He is incredible.

The whole rest of my workout, I used that hour and thirty minutes to reflect and pray for the things that were on my heart.  To thank God for the things He has given me and my wonderful husband, and to push my worries and fears aside and tell God thank you for having my life in your hands.

God amazes me in the ways He works- or where He chooses to move my heart.  All in all, this morning ended up being one of the most incredible workouts I have had in a while.  God gave me that "pick me up" that I definitely needed from the time I rolled out of bed-- and couldn't get my mood or energy in check.  God you never cease to amaze me, thank you for knowing what I need for my life even when I don't.

So to say the least my mood has been boosted a 110% and I still have my christian Pandora station going-- The artist is Hillsong United for anyone who needs to be uplifted today.  The music on that station today has been incredible!  God you are good always, thank you for your new mercies everyday!!

I now need to make my way to the shower-- because I smell like sweat and disgustingness (if that is even a word, if not I made it up because that is definitely how I feel right now!).  After the shower, it is getting into camp mode.  I am NOT a last minute packer, so I need to start getting my stuff together today so that I can have time to go through my packing routine--- yes I am ridiculous but it's things and routines like this in my life that have kept me sane!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day-- and allows their hearts to be filled by God so that in return you can give Him all the praise.

"Giving Praise is not only done by speech or song --- but it is in full motion when we allow our Hearts to be open and moved by Him so that we can be refueled by His Truth."

Season of Life

I am in this season of life that there are things I cannot wrap my mind around.  I do not understand how some people can choose to not help others when they are hurting or in need, or how life opportunities can pass us by each day in the blink of an eye. I do not understand how life can seem great on the outside, but on the inside it's a crazy ride.  I do not understand how one person can sacrifice everything they have to do good deeds and put their best efforts into something but never be thanked for all their hard work. 

Life is hard, and I am learning that more and more each day.  I am also learning that not every human is wired how I am.  That not everyone thinks, feels, and loves like I do.  For me, when I see someone in need I start praying for them immediately and my heart wants to help them as much as I can.  Lately, I have really been allowing God to use me for what He needs to use me for-- whether that is being a leader at church camp, opening up to the girls at youth group, or allowing myself to be vulnerable so that those around me can see that I have flaws and that I am bruised and broken but have prevailed because I have allowed God to carry me through.  I understand how important it is for people to have it all together for those they come in contact with but deep down they want to cry out and spill all their life problems.  Most of all I understand how following a dream can lead to disappointments and hurt.  I understand it all because I have walked through those valleys, and now more than ever I am in a season in my life where I want God to help me understand.  I want God to fill my valley full so that I can be standing on top of a mountain with the high points of life insight.

Though, what keeps me going each day to climb out of my valley and up the mountain is knowing that God understands EVERYTHING that is happening.  Also, God lets me know it is okay to grieve when I am troubled and sad, but that through all my tears, worry and concern He will bring me joy and fulfillment.
I know I do not have all the answers to life, or all the answers to my husbands questions but for today I am okay with not knowing --- because what I do know is that I have a husband who loves and adores me, a God who takes care of and meets my every need, and a family who is always there for me.
Life is complicated-- though I am realizing that I have to allow myself to experience hurt at times so that I can experience the overwhelming joys in life.  God never intended for life to be easy because if it was we would never turn to Him to have all our needs met-- THANK you Lord for being an All Mighty God.

This is the truth I am standing on today: GOD makes ALL things work together for my GOOD.

"Prayer: When Life Gets Too Hard to Stand, Kneel."

One of those Days

Today is just one of those days where my mind is all over the place, my heart is heavy, and I am a little down and out.  I know exactly why I feel this way but it is so hard to put into words.  I do not understand how friends trust can be broken after all you have been through, how people can not forgive you and move on, and that confrontation is something that continually has to happen in life when I HATE it so much.
I know that when I am at fault for something it makes my heart hurt and is so heavy.  So I apologize and apologize and keep apologizing.  Though, at times I feel I am not the only one who needs to apologize ALL the time.
I honestly do not like arguing-- it makes me nervous, and fighting with people makes my stomach all in knots.
Though, when I read my devotion this morning it was talking about how that every circumstance that happens in your life, allow yourself to put your feelings aside and see what God is trying to teach you.  Right now from all the people problems I am enduring I have no idea what God is trying to teach me.  Is He trying to teach me the characteristics of a Godly friend, or how in my own life I should be quick to forgive and allow my heart to move on?  I honestly do not know, though I do know that I am not the only one that endures hardships with friends- but I think in my life when they do occur, I worry and take on all the burden which I probably should not do but I just cannot stand it when my friends are upset with me or upset in general-- it just puts me in a very nerve racking place.  To top it all off I know I should not worry and that God has everything under control but that is definitely easier said than done at times for me.  Though, this summer I have been working on giving everything to God so that I do not have to be burdened by my worries.  Though, it is times like these when I wonder what I could have said or done differently so that there is not conflict between me and my friends.
Also, it is hard hearing that time heals all wounds--- because I want the situation to be better NOW.  So I can see God is trying to teach me patience too. If I could make it all better and not have to go through all these trials, I would close my eyes and go back to the way things used to be.  But, maybe this is God showing me that things weren't the way He wanted them before and thus change needed to occur for healthier relationships to blossom.  I really do not know, I am just ready to learn and embrace the lessons God is trying to teach me right now and move on --- because when I can feel at peace with my friends life is so much better.

On a happier note, today is my WONDERFUL and AMAZING Dad's BIRTHDAY!!! I love him so so much and I am sending him ALL my love on his birthday!

"Each day we endure new journey's, some that we understand and others that we don't. Though, the things we learn along our journey's is what allows us to be molded into the person He needs us to be."